Paying at a cafe or store with an iPhone or Apple Watch is finally possible in India. Apple Pay launched in India on 30 September 2026, allowing supported Apple device users to make contactless payments at stores as well as pay inside apps and on websites.
Indian users have waited years for this feature. In many other countries, people simply double-click the side button on their iPhone or Apple Watch and tap near the card machine to pay. That convenience has now reached India, although support is limited to selected cards at launch.
Table of contents
- Apple Pay India Launch: What You Need to Know
- Apple Pay India Supported Cards
- Does Apple Pay Support HDFC, ICICI or SBI Cards?
- What About Apple Pay UPI and Debit Card Support?
- Which iPhones and Apple Watches Support Apple Pay in India?
- How to Add an Axis Bank Card to Apple Pay in India
- How to Use Apple Pay on iPhone at a Store
- What Is NFC?
- How to Use Apple Pay on Apple Watch
- Using Apple Pay in Apps and on Websites
- Where Does Apple Pay Work in India?
- What Is a Payment Service Provider?
- Is Apple Pay Safe?
- What Is Tokenisation?
- Apple Pay vs UPI: What Is the Difference?
- Apple Pay India: Quick Questions Answered
- What Comes Next for Apple Pay in India?
Apple Pay India Launch: What You Need to Know
Apple has confirmed that Apple Pay in India is available on compatible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches. Support for Mac is expected to arrive later.
Apple Pay can be used for contactless payments at stores, in supported apps and on compatible websites.
For the initial rollout, Axis Bank is the banking partner. Customers with an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card can add the card to Apple Wallet and start using Apple Pay.
The good part is that your existing credit card benefits continue as usual. This includes reward points, cashback and other eligible card offers.
Apple Pay is already available across more than 90 countries and regions worldwide, with over 11,000 banking and payment network partners. India now joins the list, with Apple expected to expand support to more banks, merchants and apps over time.
Apple Pay India Supported Cards
At launch, Apple Pay support in India is quite limited.
| Card Type | Apple Pay Support at Launch |
|---|---|
| Axis Bank Visa credit card | Yes |
| Axis Bank Mastercard credit card | Yes |
| Credit cards from other banks | Not announced yet |
| Debit cards | Not announced yet |
| UPI | Not supported at launch |
Does Apple Pay Support HDFC, ICICI or SBI Cards?
Not yet.
Apple has currently announced Axis Bank as its first banking partner in India. So if you have an HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI or another bank’s credit card, you will have to wait for further announcements.
For now, Apple Pay can be used only with eligible Axis Bank credit cards.
What About Apple Pay UPI and Debit Card Support?
Apple Pay’s India launch is focused on credit card payments through Visa and Mastercard.
There has been no announcement about UPI support through Apple Pay or support for debit cards.
This means Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and other UPI apps will continue to be the practical choice for QR code payments at small shops and other UPI-based merchants.
Which iPhones and Apple Watches Support Apple Pay in India?
You do not need Apple’s newest iPhone to use Apple Pay.
On iPhone, you need an iPhone XR or newer running iOS 18 or later.
For Apple Watch payments, you need an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer running watchOS 11 or later, paired with a supported iPhone.
| Device | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XR or newer with iOS 18 or later |
| Apple Watch | Apple Watch Series 6 or newer with watchOS 11 or later |
| iPad | Supported for payments inside apps and on websites |
| Mac | Support coming later |
Apple highlighted the service using the latest iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12.
You can see the latest iPhone 18 Pro price or browse Apple Watch Series 12 options.
Older supported models work too. The Apple iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11 can also be used for Apple Pay.
Those looking for a more rugged smartwatch can check the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
You can also explore the hand-picked iPhone collection on YouTube Shopping to see current models and available deals.
How to Add an Axis Bank Card to Apple Pay in India
Setting up Apple Pay should only take a few minutes. An eligible Axis Bank credit card can be added using either the Axis Bank app or Apple’s Wallet app.
Method 1: Add the Card Through the Axis Bank App
- Make sure the Axis Bank app is updated to the latest version.
- Open the credit card section.
- Look for the option to add your card to Apple Wallet.
- Follow the instructions shown on the screen and complete verification.
Method 2: Add the Card Using Apple Wallet
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the + button at the top.
- Select the option to add a credit card.
- Scan the card or manually enter its details.
- Complete the verification requested by Axis Bank.
Once the card appears inside Apple Wallet, it should be ready for Apple Pay payments.
How to Use Apple Pay on iPhone at a Store
Using Apple Pay at a physical shop is simple.
Double-click the side button on your iPhone and authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode when required.
Then bring the top of the iPhone close to the contactless payment terminal. Once the transaction is completed, a confirmation will appear on the screen.
The shop must have a contactless-enabled card machine. You can usually identify one by looking for the familiar wave-shaped contactless payment symbol.
Most large retail stores and modern payment terminals already support contactless card transactions.
What Is NFC?
NFC stands for Near Field Communication.
It is a short-range wireless system that allows two devices to communicate when they are placed very close to each other.
With Apple Pay, NFC allows your iPhone or Apple Watch to communicate with the shop’s contactless payment terminal and securely process the transaction within seconds.
How to Use Apple Pay on Apple Watch
Apple Pay becomes even more convenient on an Apple Watch because you do not need to take your phone out.
Double-click the side button on the Apple Watch and move the watch close to the payment terminal.
Once the payment is accepted, the transaction is complete.
This can be particularly useful while exercising, travelling or carrying shopping bags when pulling out a phone or physical card is inconvenient.
Until more Indian banks support Apple Pay, a MagSafe card wallet may still be useful for carrying cards that cannot yet be added to Apple Wallet.
Using Apple Pay in Apps and on Websites
Apple Pay is not limited to physical stores.
Supported apps and websites can offer Apple Pay as a checkout option on iPhone and iPad.
Select Apple Pay while checking out and authenticate the transaction using Face ID or Touch ID.
This reduces the need to repeatedly enter card numbers and other payment information during online purchases.
Apple says support for Apple Pay web payments on Mac will also be added later.
Where Does Apple Pay Work in India?
Apple says Apple Pay can already be accepted by millions of merchants across India through compatible contactless payment systems.
Some of the merchants and services mentioned around the India launch include:
| Category | Merchants |
|---|---|
| Electronics retail | Apple Store, Croma, Reliance brands |
| Food and cafes | Zomato, Chaayos, Le15 Patisserie |
| Quick commerce | Blinkit |
| Travel | Ixigo |
| Health | Tata 1mg |
| Gifts and other services | Interflora, Comet |
Apple is also working with major payment service providers including Razorpay, PayU, Paytm, Pine Labs, BillDesk, Cashfree, Juspay and Mswipe.
This is important because these companies already provide payment infrastructure to a large number of Indian businesses.
What Is a Payment Service Provider?
A payment service provider, also known as a PSP, is a company that manages payment technology for businesses.
For example, the payment page you see while shopping online or the payment system connected to a shop’s card machine may be operated by one of these providers.
Once a major payment provider supports Apple Pay, many businesses using that company’s payment system can potentially offer Apple Pay without creating their own payment infrastructure.
This can help Apple Pay become available at more places quickly.
Is Apple Pay Safe?
Security is one of the biggest features of Apple Pay.
When you add a credit card to Apple Wallet, your actual card number is not stored directly on your iPhone or Apple’s servers. The real card number is also not sent to the merchant every time you make a payment.
Instead, the device receives a unique number known as a Device Account Number.
This works as a replacement for your real card number during transactions and is stored inside the device’s Secure Element, which is a protected chip designed for sensitive payment information.
What Is Tokenisation?
Tokenisation replaces sensitive card information with a different digital code or token.
Instead of sharing your actual credit card number with the merchant, Apple Pay uses this secure token while processing payments through supported networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
This provides another layer of protection because your original card number is not exposed to the merchant during the transaction.
Apple also says it does not store transaction information in a way that can personally link your purchases back to you.
Purchase information generally stays between the customer, merchant and bank.
If your iPhone is lost, you can use Find My from another Apple device or through the web to locate the phone, lock it or disable Apple Pay on that device.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What Is the Difference?
Apple Pay and UPI can both be used for digital payments, but they work in very different ways.
| Feature | Apple Pay | UPI Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Payment source | Credit card, Axis Bank at launch | Bank account |
| Payment method | Tap iPhone or Apple Watch on card machine | Scan QR code or enter UPI ID |
| PIN or OTP at checkout | Generally not required | UPI PIN required |
| Credit card rewards | Existing card benefits continue | Depends on payment method and app |
| Smartwatch payments | Supported on Apple Watch | Limited |
For local shops, street vendors and kirana stores, UPI QR codes will remain far more common.
Apple Pay is more useful at stores with contactless card terminals and for users who want to continue using their credit cards and collecting the rewards attached to those cards.
It also makes checkout convenient on an Apple Watch since the payment can be completed without opening a UPI app or scanning a QR code.
Apple Pay India: Quick Questions Answered
When Did Apple Pay Launch in India?
Apple Pay went live in India on 30 September 2026.
Which Bank Supports Apple Pay in India?
Axis Bank is the first supported bank at launch.
Eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Wallet.
Does Apple Pay Support UPI in India?
No. UPI is not part of the initial Apple Pay India rollout.
Apple Pay currently uses supported credit cards.
Can Debit Cards Be Added to Apple Pay in India?
Debit card support has not been announced for the initial launch.
Do I Need the Latest iPhone to Use Apple Pay?
No.
According to the launch requirements, an iPhone XR or newer running iOS 18 or later can use Apple Pay.
Is There a Separate Apple Pay App?
No separate Apple Pay application needs to be downloaded.
Apple Pay works through the built-in Apple Wallet app on supported iPhones and Apple Watches.
What Comes Next for Apple Pay in India?
Apple Pay is starting its India journey with only one banking partner, so the service is still limited compared with markets where many banks and card issuers are supported.
However, support from Visa, Mastercard and several major Indian payment service providers gives Apple a large payment network to build on.
The next major development will be the addition of more banks and possibly debit cards.
For now, Axis Bank credit card users get the first opportunity to use Apple Pay in India, while customers of HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and other banks will need to wait for further announcements.